Siskins @ Shinnecock, Monarchs @ Mecox

Strolling along the edge-of-marsh trail at c. 7:30 am; a calm, quiet morning. Outside of the dependable singing Carolina Wrens, there's nothing doing. Suddenly 5 or 6 dozen Goldfinches jump up into the air and take off in a flutter. Except that this Charm of Goldfinches is more than Goldfinches. Amidst the Goldfinch calls, there is something different -- buzzier, lower, less sweet. About a dozen birds separate themselves from the main body of goldfinchiness and wheel around heading for the big Tupelo at the head of the marsh. I can actually see the yellow wing markings, streaky breasts and little sharp bills that mark them as Pine Siskins.

In the same area, there was a group of four Ruby-crowned Kinglets working in the shrubbery with Eastern Phoebe, Swamp Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher and a female-plumaged Scarlet Tanager not far away. A Merlin came zipping across the creek and marsh -- perhaps heading for the Goldfinches; this has been the most common raptor seen to date. 

Along with milder weather, there has been an increase in the movement of Monarchs. While they are quite regular on this side of Shinnecock, the big numbers are out on Dune Road. This photograph was taken by Ellen Stahl yesterday evening at Mecox, one of the best gathering places for these butterflies in their fall migration.

Eric Salzman